ABOUT

behind the britty

So, here it is. I made a website! A little sacred space for me to jot down and share my ideas, passions, and musings. Let me assure you that the voices in my head are telling me that I am not qualified to write a blog, to create content, to make my voice heard. They gnaw and bite and scream at me, saying I am not witty enough, that my story is not thrilling or scandalous or compelling enough, that my triumphs and pitfalls are of little interest, and that my journey isn’t yet finished.

That last part is definitely true, but the even more profound truth is that none of ours are finished, and that that is actually the most amazing part of being a human being. My story is one of a normal girl thrust into some abnormal situations, with nothing but my faith and my family to rely on. I have no more right to tell my story than you do, and that, in itself, is deeply beautiful.

I have been broken down, but not defeated. I am still not perfect (or anywhere very close!) but I am never alone. I have gone through the fire, but I am still alive and well. I want to tell you that I am not finished learning. I will never fancy myself a guru, and I am 100% sure that I will never be entirely enlightened. I will tell you that have held my ground and that I have also made mistakes. I have experienced televised romance and public heartbreak, and I have learned what it is to be both very loved and very misunderstood by thousands of people. Through it all I have realized that none of these things actually make you who you are, and that no matter what happens, the deepest part of me is not defined by the outside world.

I have learned that the truest validation has to come from inside and that that is the only thing that cannot be taken away from you.

Every human being on planet earth longs to be loved, understood, accepted and to be a part of something greater than themselves. Our quest to achieve these goals can lead us in any direction. Mine lead me into the homes of millions of Americans, as I opened my heart for the world to see. It has been wonderful and strange, all at once. I may never have embarked on this journey had I known what I was getting into, but now that I have, I am grateful for the lessons that it has taught and will continue to teach me. If I can share a little of what I have learned and it can help anyone in any way, I will know that this has all been worth it.

Thank you for trusting me with your time and for coming into my world. I love you guys, more than you can understand. Thank you to my fans, my friends, and my family. Without your support and for your encouragement and (most of all) your prayers, I would not be where I am today. Bless you!